HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 29 August 1939, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. HOKITIKA, August 28. Lambing is now in progress in this district, and the weather conditions, which till recently were so bad, are now favourable. The death has occurred at Auckland of Mr V. A. Huddleston, aged 73, a former resident of Hokitika, and for some years inspector of stock until 1909. He leaves a widow (a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Wm. Duncan), and two sons. The July weather record shows Hokitika had 158.3 hours of sunshine and four inches of rain.

The funeral yesterday of the late Mr John T. Davern was very largely attended, friends from many parts of the district being present, testifying to the high esteem in 'which the deceased was generally held. There was also a large number of floral tributes. Rev. Dr. Harrison conducted the burial service at St. Mary’s Church, and Rev. Father Finerty assisted by Rev. Dr. Harrison, officiated at the graveside. The wedding took place on Saturday at the Presbyterian Church of Mildred Isabel, youngest daughter of Mrs and the late Mr J. Manson, of Kanieri, and Ralph, second son of Mrs and the late Mr J. Dynes, of Christchurch. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Murray Feist. The bride, who was escorted by her brother, wore a charming cream Tudor frock, with tight-fitting bodice, heart-shaped neck line, corded and laced to the waistline, with full circular skirt forming a train. The skirt opened over a taffeta underskirt with net and lace overdress, corded and stiffened to period. Her veil of cut tulle was held in place with a top-knot. The bridesmaids, Miss Eiieen Moriarty (cousin of the bride) and Miss Moana Dynes (sister of the bridegroom) wore frocks of pale pink net over taffetas, with bands of blue and lavender pleating, edged with braid, making a distinctive finish to buffourt skirts and boleros. They also wore beautiful pearl necklaces, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr George Dynes, Christchurch, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man and Mr Lloyd Parnell, of Christchurch, as groomsman. The reception of the bride and bridegroom was held at Preston’s tearooms. The guests were received by Mrs Manson (mother of the bride), wearing a navy pin-striped tailored suit, with cream lace blouse, navy velour hat, with accessories to tone, and Mrs Dynes (mother of the bridegroom), wearing a black Canadian ensemble, with floral front, black velour hat, with accessories to tone. The happy couple left for Christchurch and Timaru, the bride wearing a grey tailored suit, with London tan hat and accessories, and also a skunk stole, gift of the bridegroom. An inquest was opened on Sautrday by the Coroner, Mr A. E. Benjamin, into the death of John Timothy Davern, the previous day. Evidence was given by Michael Patrick Treacy, contractor in bush clearing for the Arahura dredge at Arahura, on which the deceased had been working for about fuor weeks. He stated that deceased came on the job at 8.10 a.m. The witness was at the winch-house when deceased came along. It was the usual thing for deceased to come in a car, and get out at the dredge office and walk to the working place about half a mile distant. The deceased came to the winch-house and handed witness the daily paper and they spoke a few words on the latest news. The deceas-

ed then collapsed to the ground. Witness sat the deceased up and tried to give him some water which he did not swallow and he appeared to die in his arms. He then laid him down and called for assistance, notifying later the police and others. Deceased was 51 years of age married, residing in Wel'd Street, Hokitika; He. identi-. fled the body the Coroner had viewed

in his presence at Arahura as that of John Timothy Davern. Deceased appeared to enjoy good health and made no complaint of his health or the nature of his work. He was a competent bushman. When deceased ,arrived at the winch-house he did not appear to be out of breath or to have over exerted himself in any way previous to his arrival. Maurice Teen, the winch driver was also present when deceased arrived and when he collapsed assisted in the endeavour to bring the deceased round. In the Soldiers’ Hall on Saturday evening, Mr. Millen (president) presided over the annual ix-unron of the Hokitika Returned Soldiers’ Association. Among the guests were Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), D. J. Evans (Patron),' Harrison (disirtct vicepresident), Colonel E. H. Northcroft. W. E. Brown (Nelson), J. L. Menzies (Ternuka), and H. M. Coulson (hon. member. About 150 ex-servicemen were present. Apologies were received from Brigadier-General Meldrum, Mr. W. Perry (Dominion President), Mr. B. Jacobs (Dominion Vice-Presi-dent), Mr. Graham and Captain O. J. Hutchison. Representatives were present also from the Otira, Kumaia, and Ross sub-branches. The following toasts were honoured: “The Kin”” "Absent Comrades” (Mr. E. B. C. Murray), “Combined Services” (Mr. J. L. Menzies —Coionei Northcroft): "New Zealand R.S.A.” (Mr. D. J. Evans —Mr. Harrison); “Hokitika R.S.A.” (Mr. W. E. Brown —Mr. J. G. Johnston (Hokitika.), Mr. E. Birss (Kumara), and Mr. A. Thompson (Ross); “The Chairman” (Mr. W. E. Brown—Mr. Millen). During the evening items were given by Dr. T. Childs, Messrs A. E. Perry. Harrison, W. E. Brown, and J. L. Menzies. Messrs F. W. Fostej and A. H. Lawn at the piano.